Caster-socket



(No Model.) 8

' W. P. TRACY.

GASTER socxm'.

No. 388,381. PatentedAug. 21, 1888.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM P. TRACY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

CASTER-SOCKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 388,381, dated August 21, 1888.

Application filed February 25. 1888. Serial No. 265,269. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM P. TRACY, of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Caster-Sockets; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My object is to provide a socket for casters made in halves, of simple construction, having means for holding the spindle-retaining spring in place, and having also holding devices for keeping the parts of the socket together. l

The invention consists of a socket formed in two parts, with a spring-retainer consisting of a metal shell provided with parallel slots therein, with the intermediate part bent in to form a spring for the spindle, adapted to be inclosed within the same, the mouth of the socket being provided with an opening of less diameter than that of the spindle-retainer, whereby the said retainer is prevented from dropping out.

- It consists, further, of a two-part socket having outer lugs or projections adapted to engage with a correspondingly-notched holding-ring.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central section through the socket, showing the spindleretainer in position. Fig. 2 is a transverse section. Fig. 3 is a view of the springretainer.

In these drawings, A represents the socket, which is of ordinary shape and proportion. It is made up of halves a a, and incloses a spring-retainer of shell form, as shown at b, having parallel slots running longitudinally for a part of its extent, the metal between the slots being bent in to form a spring bearingsurface adapted to hold the spindle in place by frictionalcontact. In order to hold this re tainer in place, I form the socket at opposite points on its interior with lugs or projections c 0, below the edge of the retainer, which bears upon them, and as these lugs narrow the opening at this point to a degree less than the diameter of the retainer it will be seen that the retainer is held in place and prevented from slipping out. The lugs of course do not contract the opening to such an extent as to prevent the insertion of the caster-spindle. Instead of the lugs, a complete ring may be formed on the interior of the socket-sections; or the mouth of the socket may be cast of less diameter than the interior of the body portion, thus attaining the same object.

In order to hold the parts of the socket 'together, I slip over them a sheet-metal ring, d,

which fits snugly against the upper part of the flange e of the socket. Upon each side of the socket, on the outer periphery, I form lugs or projectionsf, and form notches g in-theannular ring d, adapting it thereto, and by this means the ring is held securely in place and prevented from turning or becoming displaced.

I claim as my invention- 1. A caster-socket made in two parts combined with a retainer for the caster spindle, consisting of a metal shell provided with parallel slots therein, with the intermediate part bent in to form a spring, the socket having a contracted lower opening for preventing displacement of the retainer, substantially as de scribed.

2. A castersocket made in two parts, having projections or ribs on the outer periphery of each, combined with a ring for holding the parts together and notched to fit the ribs, substantially as described.

Intestimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' WILLIAM P, TRACY.

Witnesses:

Gno. N. DAVIS, FRED K. BAKER. 

